Miss America Parades Drug Safety
The new Miss America ran on a platform of drug safety focused on children. MISSD appreciates her efforts and hopes she will help save lives by highlighting life-threatening adverse drug effects posed by various pharmaceutical products.
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Insomnia, Nightmares and SSRIs
“Until I started taking medication I hadn’t experienced any issues with sleep, apart from the typical disturbed nights that come with having a baby and toddler,” says Helen*, 30. “But my sleep worsened noticeably in the six weeks after I started taking antidepressants… I would find myself awake in the middle of the night with a cosmic feeling of unsettledness combined with a sensation similar to restless legs, but across my back. I also had severe nightmares…”
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Many Different Drugs Can Cause Akathisia Symptoms
“Over the years, Golomb has collected reports from patients across the United States – tales of broken marriages, destroyed careers, and a surprising number of men who have come unnervingly close to murdering their wives. In almost every case, the symptoms began when they started taking statins, then promptly returned to normal when they stopped…”
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Drug Safety Pioneer Leaves Behind Legacy
Dr. Heather Ashton, a psychopharmacologist and author of the “Ashton Manual,” has died. The New York Times reports that Ashton’s lasting achievements include helping doctors and patients recognize and respond to benzo withdrawal and related adverse drug effects.
Dr. Ashton’s ability to listen to patients helped her collect accurate data used to develop the manual for benzo withdrawal and appropriate deprescribing.
“Patients themselves, and not the medical profession, were the first to realize that long-term use of benzodiazepines can cause problems,” wrote Dr. Ashton.
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Task Force to Review Acne Drug After 12 Die
Isotretinoin, commonly marketed under the brand name, Roaccutane, is being reviewed by UK drug regulators after an increase of deaths among product consumers. The drug can cause severe “anxiety, aggression and violence, changes in mood, or suicidal thoughts,” all of which are also listed symptoms of akathisia.
Robert Reeves, the father of the late Luke Reeves, who died at age 21, said he believes his son’s death is related to “a four-month course of Roaccutane.” Luke “become irrational and lethargic” after taking the drug.
Mr. Reeves told an Essex Coroner’s Court that Luke’s personality changed completely after starting the drug and he believes Roche is responsible for ‘murdering people.’
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